Rules & Terms

Eligibility

Projects qualify if AI was used in any meaningful creative capacity, including (but not limited to):

• Image generation
• Video generation
• Animation
• Screenplay development
• Concept development
• Voice generation
• Sound design
• Music generation
• Editing assistance
• Visual effects
• Character creation
• Poster creation
• Hybrid AI / traditional workflows

If AI was used anywhere in the creative pipeline, the project qualifies. This includes cases where AI was used only for supporting creative elements, such as poster creation, concept design, voice work, or visual enhancement.

Submission Guidelines

• Open to filmmakers worldwide.
• All genres accepted.
• Short films, experimental works, music videos, hybrid projects, and AI-native works are welcome.
• Non-English entries must include English subtitles.
• Previously released works are accepted.
• Entrants must own or control all rights to submitted material.
• Submission fees are non-refundable.
• Final programming decisions remain at festival discretion.
• Selected filmmakers must provide screening files in the requested format.
• By submitting, entrants grant permission for excerpts, stills, posters, and trailers to be used for festival promotion.

Best Prompt Category Rule

For consideration in Best Prompt, submitters should clearly explain their workflow.

Preference will be given to works created with the highest degree of prompt-driven execution and the least amount of manual intervention. Projects created from a single prompt, or near-single-prompt workflow, will receive the strongest consideration.

If substantial manual intervention, traditional production, or extensive post-production shaped the final work, the project may remain eligible for other categories but may be less competitive for Best Prompt.

Deadlines

Notification: July 19, 2026 · Event: July 26, 2026 · Black Box, Toronto.